INDIA in F1

Category: Dakar Rally

  • Sherco TVS Rally team signs up Bradley Cox to join Harith Noah and Lorenzo Santolino: W2RC

    Sherco TVS Rally team signs up Bradley Cox to join Harith Noah and Lorenzo Santolino: W2RC

    Bengaluru, 7 May 2025: The Sherco TVS Rally Factory Team announced on Wednesday the signing of South African rider Bradley Cox, who will join the ranks alongside seasoned competitors Lorenzo Santolino and India’s trailblazing rally star, Harith Noah. This strategic addition aims to fortify the team’s presence in the World Rally-Raid Championship (W2RC) as they gear up for the upcoming Safari Rally in South Africa, scheduled from May 18 to 24, according to a press release received here from Sherco team.

    Bradley Cox: Rising Star in Rally-Raid

    At 27, Bradley Cox has rapidly ascended the rally-raid hierarchy. After clinching the Rally2 World Cup title in 2024, he now steps up to the premier RallyGP category. Cox is set to make his official debut with Sherco TVS at his home event, the Safari Rally.

    “I am very excited to be joining the Sherco Factory Racing Team. It is a dream come true to ride for a Factory team, and I am looking forward to what is to come,” Cox shared enthusiastically.

    Harith Noah: India’s Trailblazer in Rally-Raid

    Harith Noah, hailing from Shoranur, Kerala, continues to make significant strides in the rally-raid arena. In the 2024 Dakar Rally, he etched his name in history by becoming the first Indian to win the Rally2 class and securing an impressive 11th place overall, the highest finish by an Indian rider in the event’s history. Noah’s journey has been marked by resilience; after overcoming a serious, injury in 2022, he returned stronger, showcasing his determination and skill.

    His accolades include multiple stage wins in the Dakar Rally, notably in Stages 8 and 10 of the 2024 edition. Beyond Dakar, Noah has demonstrated consistent performance in international rallies, including a class victory at the 2023 TransAnatolia Rally in Turkey.

    Despite a setback in the 2025 Dakar Rally, where he had to withdraw due to a wrist injury sustained during the prologue, Noah remains a pivotal figure in the Sherco TVS lineup. His experience and tenacity continue to inspire and elevate the team’s competitive edge.

    A Formidable Trio for Sherco TVS

    With the addition of Bradley Cox, Sherco TVS Rally Factory Team now boasts a dynamic trio poised to make significant impacts in upcoming rally events. The combined experience of Santolino, the groundbreaking achievements of Noah, and the fresh vigour of Cox position the team as formidable contenders in the rally-raid circuit.

    As the team prepares for the Safari Rally, fans and enthusiasts eagerly anticipate the performances of this strengthened lineup, confident in their potential to achieve remarkable results.

  • Sanjay Takale dishes out another stellar show with three days remaining: Dakar Classic

    Sanjay Takale dishes out another stellar show with three days remaining: Dakar Classic

    From Rajan Syal at Dakar

    Riyadh (Saudi Arabia), 14 January 2025: Indian rally driver Sanjay Takale, alongside his French co-driver Maxime Raud from the Compagnie Saharienne team, celebrated the festival of Sankranti with a stellar performance at the Dakar 2025. Competing in the Classic Cars section—a regularity event held alongside the main Dakar races—Takale delivered consistent results with a strong display of his skill and commitment.

    On Monday, the seasoned rally driver secured 11th place in the stage rankings. Earlier, in Stage 3’s after the gruelling 48-hour Chrono segment, Takale impressed with a remarkable 7th-place finish. On Tuesday, he finished 12th but was later ranked 17th following a penalty of 40 points, in the stage and currently sits 21st overall in the general classification.

    Haradh is located in the middle of the eastern province, the largest in Saudi Arabia, through which the vehicles of the Dakar caravan sped today, their riders and drivers intently focused to avoid being caught out by the tangle of tracks. Over a distance against the clock of 357 kilometres and at a high pace requiring speedy roadbook reading, the main pitfalls to be avoided for the pretenders to the rally’s various crowns concerned navigation. However, with the need to maintain a steady speed unlike in the other categories, Sanjay Takale, completed one more day successfully.

    A Trailblazer for India in Motorsports

    Takale, a 56-year-old veteran from Manguri near Pune, Maharashtra, is a pioneer in Indian motorsports. Starting his career in motocross during the 1980s, he transitioned to rallying in cars and became an Asia-Pacific Production Cup champion. Takale has also represented India in World Rally Championship (WRC) events.

    His participation in Dakar marks a significant milestone as he becomes the first Indian to compete in the event’s car category. Paired with navigator and coach Maxime Raud, Takale entered the Dakar Classic with the primary goal of gaining valuable experience in the world’s most challenging rally.

    Tuesday’s Challenges and Highlights

    Tuesday’s stage featured four Regularity Tests (RT) and a concluding Dune Test. Takale initially finished 12th in class and was running 15th overall in the Classic Cars category. However, a late penalty of 40 points pushed him to 21st in the overall rankings and 17th in the stage standings.

    Despite the setback, Takale’s experience and precise driving have kept his car unscathed. His ability to navigate sandy terrain, rocky paths, and dunes with consistent speed and regularity helped him handle Dakar’s demanding conditions with focus and dedication.

    The Road Ahead

    This is Takale’s 75th international rally, and he chose to do the ‘Mother of all rallies’ to celebrate the milestone. The next stages will test his mettle further. The remaining three specials—spanning 123 km, 284 km, and 63 km—include the formidable dunes of the Empty Quarter, a highlight of the rally. With reduced distances on the final day, January 17, Takale is poised to tackle the challenges ahead and look confident and his main target is to finish the daunting Dakar.

    The “Mother of All Rallies” has witnessed a historic debut, and with three days remaining, all eyes are on Takale as he continues his journey through the world’s toughest motorsport event even as the three Bikers from India made their exit by now.

    Harith Noah, last year’s Rally2 winner suffered a wrist fracture in the prologue and had to unfortunately withdraw early on medical advice. The other two bikers, privateers, Ashish Raorane, in his third Dakar, suffered a setback once again and was forced to withdraw after Stage 6 while debutant Jatin Jain from Nagpur too withdraw after Stage 5 on January 9.

  • The Good Samaritan in Sanjay Takale pops out; the Pune stalwart dishes out another top-10 show

    The Good Samaritan in Sanjay Takale pops out; the Pune stalwart dishes out another top-10 show

    By Rajan Syal

    Al Duwadimi (Saudi Arabia), 12 January 2025: The legendary Dakar Spirit, celebrated since the rally’s inception in 1979, continues to define the essence of endurance racing. This spirit of camaraderie was on full display during Stage 7 at Dakar 2025, when Pune’s Sanjay Takale, the first Indian in cars at the iconic Dakar, exemplified true sportsmanship, spending over 10 minutes helping his teammate’s car #768, out of a tricky situation, in the dunes. Dakar’s Race Control acknowledged his selfless act by waiving any penalties for the delayed arrival at the Dune Test finish time control (TC), to the tune of time he lost helping the other driver.

    The challenging 14-km Dune Test saw many competitors struggle, with several missing key waypoints and incurring penalties. Remarkably, Sanjay and his co-driver Maxime navigated flawlessly, hitting every waypoint while demonstrating exceptional consistency. Their results in the Regularity Tests were impressive, securing 5th, 13th, and 15th positions in the respective sections.

    The final Regularity Test of the stage was a grueling 146km stretch, featuring over 175 speed changes and 36 secret time controls. Despite the mammoth task, the duo managed to finish with only 48 penalties, a feat that underscores their precision and endurance.

    As the day’s results and overall standings are awaited, hopes are high for another top-10 overall finish in Stage 07. Fingers crossed as Sanjay and Maxime continue to prove that perseverance, teamwork, and the true Dakar Spirit are the keys to success.

    Editor’s note: Sanjay did get a top-10 finish, with a 10th in his class. This copy is written, before the final results of the day arrived.

    About author: Rajan Syal is a motorsports fanatic, who saw the game from all sides being a competitor, rallyist and finally, directing the Indian motorsports as the CEO of fmsci, now he is a freelancer enjoying the dunes of Dakar 2025 and entertaining with his timely Dakar updates.

  • Sanjay Takale impressive on Stage 1; Ashish Raorane, Jatin Jain complete Day 2 on bikes

    Sanjay Takale impressive on Stage 1; Ashish Raorane, Jatin Jain complete Day 2 on bikes

    Bisha (Saudi Arabia), 4 January 2025: All the three Indians at the iconic Dakar Rally completed the first stage successfully on Saturday. Travelling south from Bisha, the air gets thinner and thinner as the road approaches 1,300 metres. The drop in oxygen levels is barely noticeable, but the landscape is no longer the same. Near the middle of the special, the entrants had their work cut out for them exploring the canyons and powering their way up rock-strewn sandy plateaus! The 412 km stage was a test of concentration and sand-surfing skills and the three INdians, Sanjay Takale in Classic Cars sections and, Ashish Raorane and Jatin Jain in the Rally2 class of bikes section managed to finish the day without any hiccups.

    Earlier on Day 1, top Indian rider and last year’s Rally 2 Champion, Harith Noah had a bad crash, fractured his wrist and withdrew from the Dakar 2025. The Sherco TVS Factory rider suffered a premature end to his campaign.

    Sanjay Takale – Classic Cars

    As expected it was a tough long day for all the categories and even the Classics had a long day of 374km Stage 1. The Pune driver, Takale had a good run as both driver and navigator worked well in tandem to finish the day in 37th overall out of 96 cars. In his class H1B class, Sanjay moved up to 5th place out of 11 cars. Tomorrow Stage 02 is the first part of the Chrono stage. Classic cars, come back to Bisha but only 90 minutes of service is allowed.

    Earlier on the first day, as Dakar kicked off with a short prologue, aerpace Racer Sanjay Takale settled into the race and secured an impressive 13th place overall.

    Ashish Raorane – Bikes Rally 2

    Raorane started second today as the start order was based on the reverse order of the prologue results. The 499-km stage with 412-km competitive stage with canyons and rock-strewn sandy plateaus was just the beginning.
    Ashish finished a creditable 77th in the stage and also in General Classification of Rally2 bikes. The Xraids Experience rider clocked 7 hours, 50 minutes and 08 seconds. The indian is supported by Rynox Gear, Reise tyres and DosMoto design. The technical and maintenance support comes from SlipStream Performance, while spares and accessories partners are Motousher, BigBad Bikes, Lazyass Bikers and MX store.

    Jatin Jain – Bikes Rally2 class

    Indore’s Jatin Jain is on his maiden Dakar and he did well to complete the first full section. He finished 111th in the classification and was bogged down by a penalty. He is riding with team Desert Storm Racing. He is riding a Kove 450 Rally bike and service is provided by XRaids Experience team. He is supported by Vamsi Merla in his quest for Dakar through VM Sports Foundation, and also has Rynox as one of his supporters.

    RIDER FACTS… (Jatin Jain)

    • Jatin Jain’s passion for motorbikes and rallying has taken over his everyday life. After working and founding several businesses, Jatin Jain has fully focused on his passion with the firm intention of competing in off-road rallies for the next 15 years.
    • The Indian from Indore started racing on home soil some 20 years ago and started with motocross and supercross. To date he has over 200 podium finishes.
    • Cross-country rallying wasn’t really an addiction, but he was pushed by CS Santosh, the first Indian to finish the Dakar in 2015 to give it a go despite not really liking the navigation side. Bit he eventually decided to switch to the discipline.
    • After competing and gaining experience on rallies like the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge, the Sonora Rally or the Desfaio Ruta 40 in Argentina, it’s now time for the big one for the 46-year-old rider who will be starting the Dakar on a Kove.
    • Not too worried about the difficulty of such a demanding rally, the main concern for this father of two based in Nagpur is food. Jain is indeed a pure vegetarian and might come with his own food from India just to make sure that he has everything he needs to be as efficient as possible on the bike.
  • MOTORBIKE RACE: CHARTING A NEW WORLD

    MOTORBIKE RACE: CHARTING A NEW WORLD

    Key points:The entry list features 136 riders ready to tackle the 7,706 km route, including 5,146 km of specials where the battle for the crown in the 46th edition of the Dakar will unfold.Toby Price and Sam Sunderland have moved on to fresh pastures, leaving just two former Dakar champions in the hunt —Kevin Benavides and Ricky Brabec. Both are reaching for the stars despite suffering hair-raising crashes earlier in 2024.This will blow the title fight wide open, with the W2RC champion, Ross Branch, determined to continue his rise and the progression of the manufacturer Hero, who have brought Nacho Cornejo into their stable. Honda remain in the mix with Adrien Van Beveren and Tosha Schareina, who are also chasing their maiden Dakar victory. Over at KTM, the red-hot form of the winner of the Rallye du Maroc, Daniel Sanders, promises to spice up the competition, while the 19-year-old Spaniard Edgar Canet will give a taste of things to come when he becomes the youngest factory rider in the history of the category.The Indian Harith Noah, now a Sherco factory rider, will attempt to defend his Rally 2 crown against challengers such as Romain Dumontier and Michael Docherty. 

    Riders who win the Dakar while sporting race number 1 are few and far between. The last reigning champion to mount a successful title defence in the motorbike category was Marc Coma in 2015, when he made the newest addition to a collection of five Touareg trophies that now takes pride of place in his trophy cabinet. A decade on, much to the dismay of the purists (and Ricky Brabec, to some extent), it is the W2RC champion, Ross Branch, who will be racing as número uno. This small departure from tradition has the merit of naming as top favourite the rider who has undoubtedly been the man of the year: the most consistent, the most in-form, sometimes the fastest (no overall but five stage wins throughout the season), and always the most cheerful, which certainly helps. His consistency propelled him to second place behind his American rival at the last Dakar. The Botswanan’s quantum leap was even more remarkable in that it marked Hero’s best-ever performance, cementing the Indian manufacturer’s position among the heavy hitters in the category. The team’s rising stock has enabled them to lure the Chilean Nacho Cornejo into their ranks, where he will serve either as a second team leader or as a trusted lieutenant to the “Kalahari Ferrari”. This will come in handy when taking on the competition…
    With two motorbikes on the podium in the last edition, Monster Energy Honda HRC have a legitimate shot at the throne. Questions linger over the fitness of their leader, Ricky Brabec, who gave his knee a proper battering in a crash at the Rallye du Maroc in October. While a return to top form is not entirely out of the question for the American, Adrien Van Beveren has shown more robust form since his third-place Dakar finish, going on to take second place in the W2RC, right behind Ross Branch. The time may have come for the man from northern France in his tenth attempt, but in the Honda camp, the much younger Tosha Schareina is also showing the growing maturity that becomes more evident with each passing year. The Spaniard is almost level with VBA neck in the W2RC standings and even finished ahead of him in the Moroccan round, which doubled as a dress rehearsal before the Dakar. The Red Squadron has no shortage of talent, with Skyler Howes and Pablo Quintanilla also among the serious contenders for the crown awarded in Shubaytah. 
    There has been quite a shake-up in the KTM universe, with all four factory riders now united under the RedBull KTM Factory Racing banner. The main consequence of this reunion is that the Benavides Bros. are back together, although their current form is hard to gauge: Kevin, a two-time Dakar winner (2021 and 2023), took a nasty tumble while building up to the Desafío Ruta 40, while his younger brother, Luciano, crashed during that same event but managed to bounce back in time to bag third place at the Rallye du Maroc. The Austrian manufacturer’s most bankable asset may well be found Down Under with Daniel Sanders, who has put his youthful impetuosity behind him and dominated the Rallye du Maroc with a steady hand. Finally, the team manager, Jordi Viladoms, was unable to resist the temptation to pluck the brightest prospect from the Catalan hotbed without delay: Edgar Canet, spotted by Nani Roma when he was just 10 years old, clinched seventh place in Morocco (second in Rally 2) at the tender age of 19 and is set to become the youngest factory rider in KTM’s Dakar history. 
    The Spanish wunderkind stands out as the clear favourite for top rookie honours and perhaps even the Rally 2 crown. The Indian Harith Noah won the class last January. Defending his title will be one of Sherco’s key objectives, though Lorenzo Santolino is eager to feature in the battle for the top 5. When it comes to the fight for victory and a podium spot in Rally 2, the contenders are lining up in droves. Romain Dumontier is switching to a Honda this time round, aiming to recapture the thrill of his 2023 triumph. Meanwhile, the lightning-fast South African Michael Docherty has shown glimpses of consistency, clinching third in Rally 2 in Morocco. Tobias Ebster has stepped out of the Original by Motul ranks to gun for a strong result in the class and Konrad Dąbrowski, just 24 years old and heading into his fourth Dakar, looks well-equipped to keep climbing the ladder. 
  • Dakar stars Sanz and Noah talk about grit ahead of gruelling 12-stage race

    Dakar stars Sanz and Noah talk about grit ahead of gruelling 12-stage race

    As the 2025 Dakar Rally draws near, the world’s top off-road racers are gearing up for the ultimate test on wheels. This legendary event, known for its grueling stages and unpredictable terrain, challenges competitors across cars, motorcycles, trucks, and quads to push their limits. Taking place from January 3–17 in Saudi Arabia, the 47th edition will see racers tackle 7,759 kilometers, including 12 timed special stages, from Bisha to Shubaytah.

    Among the standout competitors preparing for the rally are Spanish motorsport legend Laia Sanz and Indian breakout star Harith Noah, who are sharing their 10-step strategy to conquer the dunes. Their insights, grounded in years of experience and respect for the Dakar’s challenges, offer a roadmap to success in one of the toughest motorsport events in the world.

    Laia Sanz: A Legacy of Endurance and Excellence
    Laia Sanz boasts an unmatched record of completing all 14 Dakar editions she has entered, with a career-best ninth-place finish in 2015. A 14-time FIM Women’s Trial World Champion, Sanz has successfully transitioned from motorcycles to cars, bringing her depth of experience and strategic approach to new heights.

    Laia Sanz poses for a portrait during the Spanish Red Bull Athlete Summit in Andorra, on January 31 2024. Photo by Gianfranco Tripodo for Red Bull Content Pool -For editorial use only

    Harith Noah: India’s Rising Star
    Harith Noah made history in 2024 as the fastest Indian in Dakar history, clinching the Rally2 title. His performance, which follows the trailblazing legacy of Indian motorsport icon CS Santosh, highlights Noah’s growing prominence on the global stage.

    The 2025 route in Saudi Arabia covers 7,759 kilometres spread over 12 timed special stages with the 47th edition beginning in Bisha on January 3 and finishing in Shubaytah on January 17.

    Here are Sanz and Noah’s 10 key steps to success at the Dakar Rally

    1. Preparation is Key
    Noah revealed his fitness a crucial component: “Last year, I worked on gaining a little extra weight to better adapt to the suspension on the bike, but after we figured out the suspension during Rallye du Maroc I’m not as concerned about gaining weight anymore. I’ve been to the Red Bull Athlete Performance Center several times this year, which has really helped me out.”

    2. Endurance Over Speed
    Twelve stages, which can last up to six hours at a time, mean you need to keep a positive mindset that focuses on endurance. Sanz explained: “The Dakar is a race, so it’s a bit strange that the winner can sometimes not win a stage. You need to be fast, but you also need to be smart. It’s such a complicated race, but I think that’s what makes it so special.”

    3. Rhythm is Everything
    With so many other vehicles racing around you over the ever present tricky terrain, focus and finding your own rhythm is key. Noah said: “I’m a really slow starter. It takes me about three days to start feeling comfortable on the bike and to perform properly. For example, at Rallye du Maroc this year I was completely exhausted after the first day. But by the second day I felt better and by the third day I felt like I could keep going for as many days as needed without getting tired.”

    4. Respect the Desert
    Never underestimate the desert – especially rookies – something that has been the backbone of Sanz’s success. She admitted: “My advice is never go over your limit. Rookies arrive super motivated, but they must remember to respect the desert. Be careful and, if one day you feel quite slow, then just relax and know that tomorrow will be a better day.”

    5. Minimize Distractions
    For many racers, creating a bubble around them is important to get as much out of the race as possible. Noah declared: “I don’t check the race results during the event. This was a decision I made with my psychologist and we agreed it’s the best approach for me. I also don’t use any social media during the race. Someone else manages it for me.”

    6. Use Experience Across Categories
    Switching up categories can often take you to the next Dakar level. Sanz added: “I did 11 on a bike, so I got so much experience in the dunes and you get to really understand the race. In my experience you can bring a lot of the strategies that work on bikes to racing cars at the Dakar.”

    7. Stay Present
    With each stage full of punishing kilometres, it is easy to let the mind drift. Noah recommended: “My focus is simple: ride one kilometre at a time. Just ride as well as I can. Whether I finish 30th, 10th, or anywhere else, I need to accept it. That’s my mantra: ride in the now. Don’t let what’s going to happen or what has already happened affect you.”

    8) Positivity is also key.
    Sanz said: “Even if you have a tough start and find yourself at the back you must stay positive. Wait for your moment. This is a race where so many things happen and you need to make sure you avoid any big mistakes. You will have bad stages, but you must keep going.”

    9. Age is Just a Number
    Age is not a barrier either as Dakar history is packed with older winners, even into their sixties. Sanz said: “Experience is important. It makes me happy to see Carlos Sainz still winning because it means that I still have time! I know Carlos and how much he trains to stay in shape to race. There’s so much hard work that goes on behind the scenes.”

    10. Savor Every Moment
    Above all, relish each and every day however gruelling. Noah said: “First place in Rally2 was never part of the plan. Winning is obviously a huge achievement, but the most amazing part was standing on the Dakar podium and receiving that trophy. That was an unbelievable feeling.”

  • Harith Noah excels at Rallye du Maroc in preparation for Dakar 2025

    Harith Noah excels at Rallye du Maroc in preparation for Dakar 2025

    Ace Indian rider and Dakar class winner, Harith Noah of Kerala, who won the Rally2 class on Stage 4 yesterda, completed the rally and just finished outside the podium in the Rallye du Maroc on the final day.

    The Sherco TVS Rally Factory team rider had a difficult Day 1 but recovered with admirable navigation and riding skills in the new sections to push himself to the forefront.

    “It was fourth Overall and P1 in Rally2 class on Stage 4. It was almost a perfect day today, after 315 km, but just a few kilometers before the finish, I got lost and lost some time. Fortunately, Lorenzo Santolino, was there too and he found the right way and we rode to the finish together. The full stage was on fresh grounds which I enjoyed. Today was the first day I really felt good on the bike right from the start,” said Harith Noah after Stage 4.

    Key points:

    • In the cars, Nasser Al Attiyah took his seventh victory on the race. His team-mate Sébastien Loeb took second place today. The two stars hand the Dacia Sandrider a one-two finish for the brand’s first rally-raid outing. Guillaume de Mévius (X-raid Mini JCW) finished on the podium with his new team.
    • In the Challenger class, Eryk Goczal (Energylandia Taurus Factory) won ahead of his father Marek with Dania Akeel (BBR) completing the podium. In the SSV class, Yasir Seaidan (MMP) wins the race and the championship. In the truck class, Martin Macik (MM Technology) scored a full house, winning every day of racing! In SSV Open Maroc Telecom, Ali Oubassidi wins for the Africa Rallye Team.
    • In the RallyGP class, Daniel Sanders (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) won the race for the first time in his career ahead of Tosha Schareina (Monster Energy Honda) and fellow KTM factory rider Luciano Benavides. Ross Branch (Hero MotoSports) becomes 2024 World Champion.
    • In Rally2, Bradley Cox (BAS World KTM Racing) repeated last year’s win and also took the World Cup for the category. In Rally3 Enduro Cup Afriquia, Souleymane Addahri (Africa Rallye Team) won by a landslide. In the quad category, Antanas Kanopkinas (CFMoto Thunder) won by a whisker.

    ON TRACK
    The final stage, a loop around Mengoub/Bouârfa, comprising of 273 kilometres of special stages finished just outside the bivouac (see Radio bivouac).

    In the RallyGP category, Daniel Sanders won after a fierce battle with Tosha Schareina (+11’07’’). Luciano Benavides, back from his femur injury sustained in Argentina last June, took the final podium spot after a very solid performance (+21’03‘’). The two KTM factory riders, who arrived in Marrakech on a machine with a revamped chassis, left the rally having sent a clear message to their rivals for next January: the orange bike is ready to race. For ‘Chucky’, who won at his second attempt at the race, it was a good way of putting his past injuries behind him (see Quotes) and to succeed Toby Price (see Stat of the day).
    Winner of stage 1 and sixth overall, Ross Branch was able to let his delight at becoming W2RC world champion explode at the end of the series’ five rounds.

    In Rally2, Bradley Cox rode at RallyGP pace all week. The South African repeated last year’s Moroccan title and snatched victory in the Rally2 World Cup after a hard-fought season with Romain Dumontier (Honda Team). The Frenchman discovered a new machine this week. The BAS World KTM Racing team was on top form, with three of its riders finishing on the podium in the category, with young Edgar Canet and Michael Docherty flanking Alfie Cox‘s son. Harith Noah (Sherco TVS Rally Factory), winner of the category on the Dakar, finished just off the podium.

    In the Rally3 Enduro Cup Afriquia, Souleymane Addahri produced the masterpiece that ART had been hoping for! Hats off to the Agadir-based rider, who scored a hat-trick for the Africa Rallye Team, the continental rider training programme supported by the Rallye du Maroc’s main partners, which has dominated the category since its inception in 2022.

    In the quad category, Antanas Kanopkinas and Kamil Wisniewski (Orlen) battled it out throughout the week, with the Lithuanian coming out on top today.

    In the car category, Nasser Al Attiyah debuted his Dacia in the best possible way. The Qatari increased his record of victories on the Rallye du Maroc to seven and while taking his third world championship title (see Quotes).Sébastien Loeb (The Dacia Sandriders) won the day’s stage, having already won the day before, overtaking the Mini of Guillaume de Mévius (see Quotes). The Frenchman finished 5’10’ behind his team-mate. Dacia scores a remarkable one-two finish for their competition debut.
    Held up today by a stop-and-go out on the track, the Belgian finally finished third at 13’45’. This week, the man from Namur rediscovered the superb form of last January. His team-mate Guerlain Chicherit, who had been in the running all week, suffered his first blow today. The Frenchman lost out on the fourth place he’d been aiming at. Despite this, the two new Mini crews also proved that they were up to the job on their first outing. It was a similar story for Ford M-Sport. Carlos Sainz, competing in the Experimental category, scored one win, four podiums and a fifth place today. ‘ El Matador ‘ is ready to enter the arena next January (see Quotes).
    Toyota took fourth place with Yazeed Al Rajhi (+23’30‘’). The Saudi driver (Overdrive Racing) retains his runner-up spot in the world championship. Seth Quintero (Toyota Gazoo Racing) rounded off the Top 5 (+29’31‘’).

    In the Challenger class, the Goczal family made a spectacular return to competition. Between them, the Polish trio won every day  since Marrakech. At the finish, Eryk was ahead of his father Marek (+9’51‘’). Michal is not on the podium following his DNF yesterday. Dania Akeel took third place in the race, reflecting her rise to prominence over the season.

    In SSV, the new Maverick Rs of the Can-Am Factory team and Manuel Andujar (South Racing) entered in the Experimental category were quick the whole week. Overall it is Yasir Seaidan who wins the race and the world cup. Alexandre Pinto (Old Friends Rally) finishes behind the Saudi driver and wins the Road to Dakar Challenge.
    In the SSV Open Maroc Telecom, Bartlomiej Kotwica (PBI Rally) and Ali Oubassidi each won three days. In the end, it was the Moroccan and his compatriot co-driver who scored a double coup for the Africa Rallye Team, who’d already won the Rally3 Enduro Cup Afriquia bike category. Great result for the ART class of 2024!


    In the truck category, Martin Macik won 6 out of 6! The Czech has won every special stage since Marrakech. His team-mate Kees Koolen came close to taking today off him… Overall Macik finished nearly an hour ahead of the Dutchman.

    RADIO BIVOUAC :
    As last year, the finish of the race was situated at the entrance of the bivouac. An innovation tested last year in Merzouga and repeated today in Mengoub/Bouârfa to allow competitors’  teams and their families to share this highlight of the race. The wife and father of Ross Branch, the RallyGP world champion, were able to kiss their Hero was he climbed off his bike! A leader in technological innovations, as was the case this week with the digital road book for 100% of the caravan, the Rallye du Maroc is also a pioneer when it comes to emotions.

    STAT OF THE DAY: 17 and 10
    Daniel Sanders became the 15th FIM motorcyclist to win the race, which was created in 2000. He is the 2nd Australian to achieve this feat after Toby Price. The last of his predecessor’s 3 victories came in 2023. ‘Chucky’ has now put Australia and KTM at the top of the results table for two consecutive years. The Orange team take their 17th victory.
    By winning his 7th Moroccan FIA crown, Nasser Al Attiyah equalled the record of success set by navigator Mathieu Baumel, with whom he had won all his previous races. The Frenchman won before the Qatari, in 2011 with Bernhard Ten Brinke. Nasser also won with a3rd different brand, after Mini and Toyota. He adds Dacia to the Rallye du Maroc Hall of Fame, the 10th brand to win in the Kingdom of Morocco.

    26th EDITION: RENDEZ-VOUS FROM 10 TO 17 OCTOBER 2025
    For the 17th time in its history, the Rally du Maroc 2025 will be a round of the FIM Rally-Raid World Championship. It has been the final round of the calendar since 2013, the only exception being 2022 when the Andalucía Rally was postponed. Morocco will be the bike riders final for the 11th time and the3rd consecutive time for the FIM and FIA international caravan, united by the W2RC since 2022.

    QUOTES :

    Daniel Sanders (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing): “It feels good. It’s been a long time since my last win and a lot has happened since then. I’m really happy to be back on top, to have the speed and a bike that is working well. It’s a really good thing before the Dakar. This race has everything going for it. They  just keep improving it. The terrain here is unreal. Due to injuries, first the elbow and then the femur, I missed two Rallye du Maroc in a row. To come back after a difficult Dakar and Argentina is great. Hats off to the team for the quality of the bike.”

    Bradley Cox (BAS World KTM Racing): “What a day! I didn’t think it would be possible when I came here. Romain (Dumontier) has been very strong all year. This week has been a dream. When I was a kid, I wrote in my school book: ‘one day, I’ll be world champion’ and I’ve made that dream come true today. It wasn’t an easy day. I crashed in the liaison and slid down the tarmac, then I had another big crash in the special stage. A big thank you to the team, the sponsors and all those who make it happen. Let’s hope 2025 will be as good a year!”

    Nasser Al Attiyah (The Dacia Sandriders): “It’s great to win the Rallye du Maroc seven times and also the World Championship for a third time. And of course, I’m very happy to be winning for Dacia for the first time. It hasn’t been an easy year for us after we withdrew from the Dakar. Now, with the new car, we’re looking forward to the 2025 Dakar.”

    Sébastien Loeb (The Dacia Sandriders) : “Overall, it has been a good rally. We finished first and second with Dacia, which shows that the car is really competitive and reliable. We broke a wishbone and a steering arm and it’s important to do a rally like this to see what breaks and what we need to improve for the Dakar. Of course, there are a few things we need to sort out, but overall, we’re very happy with the car. The battle is very close between the different cars, so I think it will be interesting for the Dakar.”

    Guillaume de Mévius (X-raid Mini JCW): “For our first race with X-raid, we can be satisfied. We lost some time today and second place, but we’re still on the podium, so we’re very happy. For the Dakar, we’ll have the petrol engine and a few other improvements. From what we’ve seen this week, we should be ready to fight in January. We didn’t know that before we came here, so we’re very happy with the way things have gone.”

    Carlos Sainz (Ford M-Sport): “Overall, I’m very satisfied. A completely new car, a new team, I’m happy. We have good speed. Apart from one day, the car worked well. It’s very emotional to win a stage with a new car. The Dakar is going to be interesting because Ford, Dacia, Mini and Toyota are all very close.”

  • Hero MotoSports’ Ross Branch wins 2nd place: Dakar 2024

    Hero MotoSports’ Ross Branch wins 2nd place: Dakar 2024

    Hero MotoSports Team Rally, the motorsport team of the world’s largest manufacturer of motorcycles and scooters – Hero MotoCorp, has created history becoming the first ever Indian manufacturer team to finish on the podium of the legendary Dakar Rally.

    Ross Branch finished the Rally at the second place for the team. His consistent performance over the 12 stages saw him at the first and second spots in the overall rankings throughout the Rally. For the Indian manufacturer this is a phenomenal achievement and a solid validation for the many years of effort put into their racing program. The growth curve for the team has also been steep in the last few years – raking up a first Stage Win at Dakar 2022, doubling it to 2 Stage Wins in 2023, and eventually finishing on the podium in this edition. The team achieved two stage wins during this edition.

    Hero MotoSports Team Rally was formed in 2016 and it participated in its first Dakar Rally in 2017. Over the years, the team has achieved multiple podiums, wins and stage wins at top rally-raids across the world. This edition of the Rally was extremely grueling and saw three of the four Hero riders drop out of the race during the first week – Joaquim Rodrigues and Sebastian Buhler suffered injuries, while Joan Barreda who displayed a fantastic performance in the first week, exited due to an unfortunate mechanical failure in Stage 6. The pressure on Ross Branch to continue in the race and continue in the top order was tremendous. However, the Botswanan Hero made it look easy – conquering every mile with a broad smile.

    Dr. Arun Jaura, Chief Technology Officer, Hero MotoCorp and Team Principal, Hero MotoSports Team Rally: “This is a fantastic result for our young team! Hero MotoSports is truly the flag bearer of Indian motorsport. A few years ago, no one could have imagined that an Indian manufacturer team will be on the podium of Dakar Rally. Huge congratulations to Ross, Waffi and the entire team for this massive achievement. We will continue to build on this result.” Wolfgang Fischer, Team Manager & Head, Hero MotoSports Team Rally: “Truly a sensational result. It’s a big reward to reach the podium today. We started many years ago as small set-up within Hero MotoCorp and building on that every year we have reached here. So, many people have worked hard for us to reach here. We had a tough time in the first week of the Rally losing three of our four riders. However, Rossi carried forward our hopes, keeping a cool head to bring home success in this very difficult Dakar. At the end, by overcoming many obstacles we are on the podium. This 2nd place podium I want to dedicate to Paulo Goncalves, we carry his never-give-up attitude deeply in our team.” In its fifth year at Saudi Arabia, the 2024 edition was undoubtedly the toughest Dakar so far – longer stages, extreme terrains, and confusing navigation right from the start. Two new formats of racing were also introduced by the organizers to add more spice – a marathon stage early on in the race, and a 48H chrono stage during which the competitors were split across several bivouacs – away from their teams, and surviving on bare minimum essentials. As many as one-third of the competitors who started the race retired from the rally across the 14 days of grind. To get to a Dakar podium is no small feat – a thousand things need to be right, and yet, each kilometer of these many thousands can destroy a result with a tiny mistake. 8,000 kilometers at the world’s toughest rally conquered with a top-2 result – Hero has made it clear they’re here to stay.

    Dr. Arun Jaura, Chief Technology Officer, Hero MotoCorp and Team Principal, Hero MotoSports Team Rally: “This is a fantastic result for our young team! Hero MotoSports is truly the flag bearer of Indian motorsport. A few years ago, no one could have imagined that an Indian manufacturer team will be on the podium of Dakar Rally. Huge congratulations to Ross, Waffi and the entire team for this massive achievement. We will continue to build on this result.”

    Wolfgang Fischer, Team Manager & Head, Hero MotoSports Team Rally: “Truly a sensational result. It’s a big reward to reach the podium today. We started many years ago as small set-up within Hero MotoCorp and building on that every year we have reached here. So, many people have worked hard for us to reach here. We had a tough time in the first week of the Rally losing three of our four riders. However, Rossi carried forward our hopes, keeping a cool head to bring home success in this very difficult Dakar. At the end, by overcoming many obstacles we are on the podium. This 2nd place podium I want to dedicate to Paulo Goncalves, we carry his never-give-up attitude deeply in our team.”

    “Many thanks to the Chairman Dr. Munjal, the entire Hero family across the globe and all our fans, supporters and partners. We will continue to build on this success.”

    Ross Branch, Team Rider, Hero MotoSports Team Rally: “Finally finished the Dakar!! It was a really tough Dakar 2024, and I’m so thrilled to be here! Finishing on the podium was always the goal, and today it’s a dream come true. I’m really over the moon to achieve this goal for Hero. And a big thank you to the team for developing a highly competitive machine, for the sleepless 3 weeks here, and for everything they’ve sacrificed to reach to this point. I’m really proud of my team. We’ve got some more work to do to be on the next step, so we’ll look forward to that in the next year. A big thank you to everyone for your continued support from all around the world!”

  • Historic victory for Harith Noah in Rally2 class at Dakar 2024

    Historic victory for Harith Noah in Rally2 class at Dakar 2024

    Yanbu (Saudi Arabia), 19 January 2024: Sherco TVS Rally Factory team rider Harith Noah clinched a historic victory at Dakar Rally 2024 by winning the Rally 2 category in the Motorcycle section at the coveted cross-country rally which concluded here on Friday.

    “It’s amazing. It’s amazing stuff. Crazy. It’s crazy to do what I have done. I am so happy,” is the immediate exclusive reaction of Harith Noah from Saudi Arabia after he realised his Rally2 victory.

    He clocked an overall 54hours, 24minutes and 44seconds for the 12 gruelling stages in 14 days and finished an overall 11th place in the general ranking and also won his class, the Rally2 class which saw 110 riders take the start.

    The 30-year old from Kerala, Harith Noah, concluded his good run at the mighty Dakar 2024 with a cautious 5th place in the 328-km 12th stage in the Rally2 class today and managed to retain his 11th position in the overall general rankings in the main class. His victory in the Rally 2 class is the first by an Indian rider. With the dominating performance in one of the most-demanding and toughest cross-country rallies in the world, the Sports Science graduate from Shoranur in Kerala, entrenched himself in the annals of Indian motorsports with a milestone achievement.

    Astride a 450SEF Rally bike tuned by Sherco TVS rally factory team, Noah began the prologue on January 5 in a cautious way finishing 29th but increased the tempo to finish P22 in the very first Stage, the next day. He managed to improve his riding with stunning results after each stage and each day, thereafter. Staying put in the top-20, he delivered a killer punch in the toughest Stage 6, that had two days of ‘48-hour Chrono’ marathon rallying. Noah, made the best use of the difficult conditions to shoot to P13 overall.

    On Jan 15, with four days to go he touched his peak dishing out his career-best with an Overall P5 and a stage win in his class, the Rally2 category. Later, he won the stage again in the penultimate round and clinched the issue on the final day with a Rally2 victory. He also got a note-worthy 11th place in the main Motorcycle category that saw 142 riders from all over the world take the start.

    Noah is sponsored by Sherco TVS Factory Rally Team, TVS Racing, Red Bull and Casio. In 2021, he became the fastest from India at Dakar finishing in 20th place and became the third Indian to finish the prestigious Dakar rally.

    “I’m happy that I’ve finished. That was the main goal. I’m really blessed to be here. I learned a lot this year, especially during the second week. I felt really strong and it’s something to build on for next year. I tried to not have any expectations. I just tried to ride every kilometre, one at a time. It’s a really nice feeling to get fifth overall in Stage 10 and to know that you have it in you. It feels good to win. I hope it motivates other riders, younger riders, to do the same or try to pursue their dreams and grow the sport. I never thought when I was a child that I would be here on the Dakar. Then I did my first Dakar, then I finished in 2021, which was amazing, and now here I am winning my Rally 2 class. I’m happy,” said a jubilant Noah, before the result got confirmed. A racer of different breed, Harith Noah does not look at the results after every stage, lest they disturb his rhythm.

  • Harith Noah leads Rally2 general ranking; logs overall P11: Dakar Stage 11

    Harith Noah leads Rally2 general ranking; logs overall P11: Dakar Stage 11

    Yanbu (Saudi Arabia), 18 January 2024: The 30-year old from Kerala, Harith Noah continued his good run at the mighty Dakar 2024 and managed to escalate his position to the top of the table in the overall general rankings of the Rally2 class with a splendid Stage 11 parformance in one of the most-demanding stages near to the end of this edition of the Dakar on Thursday. The riders took over part of the 2023 route with the same very rocky course that was very complicated and prone to causing punctures.

    The top rider from India was cautious. After the stage, Harith Noah said: “I knew it would be a tough day with very rocky and difficult trails. I felt pretty good at first but once we started entering the rocks, I had two small falls. I tried to concentrate on navigation and stayed on two wheels for the rest of the stage. The race is not finished yet, there is still one more stage left tomorrow.”

    Today’s course represented the most demanding sporting challenge of the second week of the race and was likely to disrupt the rankings in all categories. Spanning more than 400 kilometers, the special took place mainly on hostile and challenging terrain. This is the last physical challenge to overcome.

    Harith Noah continued his momentum with another victory in Rally 2 and a eleventh place overall. He thus gained time over his closest competitor R. Dumontier, he now leads the Rally 2 standings.

    At kilometer 12, his teammate Rui Goncalves fell, resulting in a deep injury to his left arm. After seeking medical assistance from the organization, he was quickly transferred to Alula Hospital. An intervention surgery was essential to treat his wound, and he remains under observation tonight. No Noah is the only Sherco rider left in the field.

    Harith Noah is the last rider still in the race for the Indo/French outfit. He is currently in 11th position in the general classification. Tomorrow marks the final stretch to hope for a TOP 10 finish!

    Stage 11 ranking
    Harith Noah: P11
    Rui Gonçalves: DNF

    Provisional general classification
    Harith Noah: P11
    Rui Gonçalves: DNF

    Tomorrow, is the last day of the 2024 Dakar, the riders will set off for 328 km including 175 km of special and 153 km of connection with an arrival in Yanbu.